Magnetically levitated graphene-enhanced insole triboelectric nanogenerator

ABSTRACT

Described herein is a graphene-enhanced triboelectric nanogenerator with magnetically levitated suspension in the form of a shoe insole insert producing energy from the rise and fall of a human heel when walking in shoes for the mobile charging of small to medium-sized electronic devices.

BACKGROUND

Most shoe based triboelectric nanogenerators meant to charge devices use flex bowing of material or foam to allow for contact and release for the production of energy through triboelectric effect, in addition to using metals, which oxidize readily when exposed to sweat, for conduction of the electricity produced. In the embodiment of the invention we show the use of magnetic strips and thin rare-earth metal magnet discs for contact and release for energy production and graphene for conducting the energy to storage for subsequent use for a better, more conductive, and longer lasting insole triboelectric nanogenerator.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The force produced by a person is three times their resting weight this requires a nanogenerator that doesn't wear out easily instead of foam or flexible bowing material the embodiment of this invention gives a minimal wear by using magnetic repulsion, in addition without the oxidation of the conductive material by using graphene which is far more conductive than metal and less susceptible to oxidation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

1 of FIG. 1 shows the rare-earth magnet adhered on top 2 of FIG. 1 which depicts the top flexible magnetic pad. 1 of FIG. 2 illustrates the positive graphene-enhanced triboelectric pad adhered on top of the inner side of the flexible magnetic pad which is shown by 2 of FIG. 2. 3 of FIG. 2 depicts the wire that is attached to 3 of FIG. 2 to conduct the energy produced. 1 of FIG. 3 illustrates the outside of the bottom flexible magnetic pad. 2 of FIG. 3 depicts the rare-earth magnet adhered on surface of 1 of FIG. 3. 1 of FIG. 4 shows the inner side of the bottom flexible magnetic pad. 2 of FIG. 4 shows the opposing negative graphene-enhanced triboelectric pad adhered on top of 1 of FIG. 4. 3 of FIG. 4 illustrates the wire connected to 2 of FIG. 4. 1 of FIG. 5 illustrates the side view of the assembled apparatus depicting the magnetic levitation created by the opposing rare-earth magnets and 1A of FIG. 5 shows the state of compression of the apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

In regards to FIG. 1, 1 of FIG. 1 one shows the rare-earth metal magnet adhered to 2 of FIG. 1 in homopolar position to 2 of FIG. 3 adhered to 1 of FIG. 3 this allows for compression and repulsion, by the heel of a human foot, between 2 of FIGS. 1 and 1 of FIG. 3 subsequently allowing contact and release between 1 and 2 of FIGS. 2 and 1 and 2 of FIG. 4.

In respect to FIG. 2, 1 of FIG. 2 depicts the positive graphene-enhanced triboelectric pad that is adhered to 2 of FIG. 2 and connected to 3 of FIG. 2. When 1 of FIG. 2 contacts with 2 of FIG. 4 from compression of a human heel 1 of FIG. 2 becomes positively charged. 3 of FIG. 2 closes the circuit to allow flow of current from 1 of FIG. 2 through the graphene.

Regarding FIG. 3, 1 of FIG. 3 depicts the bottom flexible magnetic pad acting as the anchor while in the shoe and static base for magnetic repulsion by rare-earth metal magnet. 2 of figure of 3 depicts the rare-earth metal magnet disc adhered to 1 of FIG. 3.

In respect to FIG. 4, 1 of figure shows the inside of the bottom half of the apparatus which has adhered to it 2 of FIG. 4 the negative graphene-enhanced triboelectric pad after contact with 1 of FIG. 2 when compression from a human heel occurs. 3 of FIG. 4 represents the wire connected to 2 of FIG. 4 which when 2 of FIG. 4 becomes negatively charged after contact with 1 of FIG. 2 energy flows across the graphene and through 3 of FIG. 4 to the device.

In regard to FIG. 5, 1 of FIG. 5 shows the assembled apparatus where 2 of FIG. 1 is adhered to 1 of FIGS. 4 and 2 of FIG. 1 is being magnetically levitated over 1 of FIG. 3 by 1 of FIGS. 1 and 1 of FIG. 3 via homopolar repulsion. 1A of FIG. 5 represents the compression of the apparatus causing contact between 1 of FIGS. 2 and 2 of FIG. 4 creating charge.

REFERENCES

Pat app serial no. US2014/0084784 A1. By extrapolating triboelectric material surface area to a larger scale, as shown in Gomes et al, arVix:1803.10070 [comd-mat.mes-hall] (2018),

Sharma, K. R. Graphene materials. N.Y. 2014. pp 9

U.S. Pat. No. 5,825,105 

1. Use of rare-earth metal magnets provides minimum wear suspension for contact and release of the opposing pads.
 2. Graphene acts as a better electrical conductor and is less susceptible to oxidation by human sweat than metal. 